Hebron pushes for UNESCO World Heritage status ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 6, 2011 - 1:00am As one of several sites identified by Palestinian officials for protection and preservation, Hebron's Old City residents - via the municipality - have put together a proposal to UNESCO to have the city recognized as a World Heritage site. The move was announced a week after an initiative from PA officials and Bethlehem groups petitioning for the same status for the Old City there. Municipal officials said the recognition of the Old City as a heritage site would strengthen residents, "against the Judiazation" of the city by settler groups and "the Israeli expansion policy." » Read more

Fayyad demands intervention to stop settler violence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 8, 2011 - 1:00am International pressure must be brought to bear on Israeli settlers in the West Bank to halt their use of violence and constant harassment of Palestinians, premier Salam Fayyad said Monday. Speaking with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Navi Pillary, who is on an official visit to Palestine, Fayyad blamed the Israeli government for "terrorist acts" committed by settlers, and cited the shooting deaths of two teens in January. » Read more

PA cabinet calls elections for July 9 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 8, 2011 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority cabinet decided on Tuesday to hold local elections on July 9, in what will be the first time voters have gone to the polls since 2006. It will mark the second attempt to hold a municipal vote, after July 17, 2010 elections were called off only weeks before they were scheduled to take place. "The cabinet decided during its meeting today to hold local elections on Saturday, July 9, and charged the elections committee with making the necessary preparations," PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib said, reading from an official statement. » Read more

PA cabinet calls elections for July 9 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 8, 2011 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority cabinet decided on Tuesday to hold local elections on July 9, in what will be the first time voters have gone to the polls since 2006. It will mark the second attempt to hold a municipal vote, after July 17, 2010 elections were called off only weeks before they were scheduled to take place. "The cabinet decided during its meeting today to hold local elections on Saturday, July 9, and charged the elections committee with making the necessary preparations," PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib said, reading from an official statement. » Read more